Cabin Fever - Waiting for warm weather...
Back in late October the cold and snow blew into Minnesota. It came up on us so fast that I didn't even get the leaves raked before they were frozen in place. So the Torino build more or less got put on the back burner. I put the body panels in the shed and made room in the garage for the snowblower and the wife's SUV.
The good news is that I pretty much have all the body panel prep work completed. I have most of the parts for the engine/transmission assembly needed to test fit and check ride height.
The quick change is pretty much ready to bolt in once I pick up about $1000 worth of additional parts. I need to purchase upper and lower control arms, axles, and shocks before I can install the rear end.
So that leaves me with the dilemma of what to do on the race car while it is too cold to work outside. I have purchased a few more small items that are needed for the build. Recently, I ordered a period correct steering wheel and the last of the decals I will need to complete the paint work.
Mostly I am in the final planning stage before I start the actual build. I am a visual person by nature, so I do a lot of sketches that also have a few notes included. The visual part of this process for me is much easier to recall than just a bunch of words/lists on a page.
Here are a few of the pages I have made over the past few months:
Quick Change - Coil Perch Location
Rear End Mount Location Jig
Radiator Support and Hood Hold-down
Sheet Metal Welding Clamp
Shifter Linkage Bushing
Transmission - Shifter - Bellhousing
Front End Sheet Metal Work
Calculating Total Weight for Ride Height
As soon as the temps start to rise and the snow is melted away, the real fun begins. I am hoping to actually move the Torino to my home garage where I can actually start on the build. I am trying to decide if that journey should included a stop at the local sandblasting shop for some clean up.
Until next time, take care!
